HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 09/02/2025 - Memorandum from Lori Schwarz re 300 E. Oak Street – Fort Collins Mennonite Fellowship, Chronic Nuisance PropertyCommunity Development and
Neighborhood Services
281 North College Avenue
PO Box 580, Fort Collins, CO 80522
970-221-6760
lschwarz@fcgov.com
MEMORANDUM
Date: August 28, 2025
To: Mayor and City Councilmembers
Through: Kelly DiMartino, City Manager
Caryn Champine, Director, Planning, Development & Transportation
From: Lori F. Schwarz, AICP, PDT Deputy Director: Community Development and
Neighborhood Services Director
Subject: 300 E. Oak Street – Fort Collins Mennonite Fellowship, Chronic Nuisance Property
BOTTOM LINE
At the August 19, 2025 City Council meeting, Staff was requested to provide an update on 300
E. Oak Street: Fort Collins Mennonite Fellowship (FCMF), following public comments regarding
concerns at the property. The FCMF was designated as a Chronic Nuisance Property by the
Public Nuisance Ordinance (PNO) Committee in July 2023, with an initial abatement agreement
signed on October 9, 2023. Since that time, both Code Compliance and Police Services staff have
routinely conducted proactive inspections as well as responded to complaints at the property
regarding adherence to the abatement agreement. There are currently enhanced proactive
inspections from both teams as well as recent communication with FCMF representatives to
improve property management.
BACKGROUND
The Fort Collins Mennonite Fellowship (FCMF) has existed at 300 E. Oak Street since 2002. In
2018, the FCMF received Planning and Zoning Commission approval for the placement of lockers
on the property for individuals experiencing homelessness to store their belongings. The decision
was appealed to City Council, which was upheld with additional conditions. Following a legal
process and mediation, a negotiated settlement agreement was concluded in 2019. The
settlement agreement included conditions as follows:
• Curfew hours from 9pm – 6am, which must be posted on the FCMF entrance and lockers
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• FCMF must provide representatives for 24/7 contact to Fort Collins Police Services for
any concerns on the property.
• Users of the locker system must sign an agreement acknowledging operating hours and
can only access lockers after hours with an FCMF representative present.
• A 24/7 security camera must be utilized to monitor the lockers and footage maintained for
seven (7) days.
WORK IN PROGRESS
The Public Nuisance Ordinance (PNO) was last updated by City Council in 2022. The PNO
Committee meets monthly to discuss progress on properties that have been designated as a
Chronic Nuisance, as well as monitor properties that have multiple violations within a brief time
period and are at risk of becoming a Chronic Nuisance. A Chronic Nuisance Property exists
when:
• Three or more nuisance activities have occurred on the property within 90 days, or seven
or more nuisance activities have occurred within one year, with each activity occurring on
a separate day, but not applicable to a property having multiple residential units under
common ownership (i.e., apartment complex)
• There are multiple residential units on the property under common ownership and six or
more nuisance activities have occurred within 90 days or 10 or more nuisance activities
have occurred within one year, with each activity occurring on a separate day
• Two or more nuisance activities involving drug-related activity have occurred on the
property within 30 days, with each activity occurring on a separate day; or
• The property is an “abandoned property” and any number of nuisance activities have
occurred or exist on it
The FCMF was designated as a Chronic Nuisance Property by the Public Nuisance Ordinance
(PNO) Committee in July 2023, with an initial abatement agreement signed on October 9, 2023.
Since that time, both Code Compliance and Police Services staff have proactively inspected, as
well as responded to complaints, at the property. A second abatement agreement, that
incorporated the first abatement agreement, was signed by the parties in October of last year.
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Despite progress that has been made since the signing of a second abatement agreement , over
the last few months neighborhood complaints regarding activities at FCMF have been increasing.
As a response to those complaints, both Code Compliance and Police Services team members
have increased proactive inspections of the property both during the day and after hours. A recent
meeting with FCMF representatives to discuss the increasing concerns was very productive and
the following action steps will be taken:
• Improved signage that includes curfew hours established per the settlement agreement
• Continuing proactive inspections by both Code Compliance and Police Services staff after
hours and weekends when most complaints are received
• Issue citations, as warranted, for trespass, trash and rubbish, or any other applicable
violations on the property
NEXT STEPS
Staff will continue to work cooperatively, both internally and with FCMF, to address the community
concerns. The City continues to request all community members who witness concerning or illegal
activities to immediately contact Code Compliance or Police Services so the appropriate City
department can investigate and gather sufficient details surrounding alleged violations to be
useful in any potential future court process. To ensure the most effective and timely response to
alleged violations, we recommend contacting the City's Code Compliance at 970-416-2350 during
daytime hours and Police Services through the non-emergency line (970-221-6540) during
nighttime hours (use 911 of course for emergencies any time of day). Response times may vary
depending on the prioritization of calls received at any given time. All complaints received will
continue to be taken seriously and followed up on accordingly.
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